Trump strikes back at critics of Helsinki summit with Putin

He also said he accepts the conclusion by United States intelligence officials that Moscow interfered in the election, which saw Trump defeat Democrat rival Hillary Clinton.

During Monday's press conference with Putin, he refused to condemn Russia's interference, saying that he accepted the Russian president's denial and took Putin's word over the conclusion of US intelligence agencies, which he has continually attacked during his presidency. "There was no collusion at all".

Trump made the comments before a meeting at the White House with top GOP members on Tuesday afternoon.

Trump told reporters at the White House that he had faith in his country's intelligence agencies and accepted their conclusion that Russian Federation meddled in the election.

Going into Monday's meeting in Helsinki, Trump said he wanted to improve relations with Russian Federation, which he characterized as the worst they've ever been.

Saying that you accept the findings of the intelligence community but that "other people" might have been involved is like saying you accept that the world is round but you also worry about sailing off the edge of the Earth.

"My administration will repeal any attempt to interfere in our elections", he said.

President Trump returned home from Helsinki Monday night to widespread outrage, with even staunch allies such as former House speaker Newt Gingrich - a Republican - publicly calling the news conference the "most serious mistake" of the Trump presidency.

Both parties called for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other officials to appear before Congress and tell exactly what happened during Trump's two-hour private session with Putin.

That last sentence was what he corrected Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the president said that he had meant to say "I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be; sort of a double negative", but ended up saying "would" instead of "wouldn't".

"If we do not do something, eventually this will result in the complete devaluation of Russia's nuclear potential", he said. "They're caught in between the moderate independents that they don't want to lose and their credibility and the Trump base, and it's a tough little niche to find at times because they know no matter what the president says and does, his base will be with him".

House Speaker Paul Ryan quickly condemned Trump's comments, though he did not name Trump. But Trump made clear he feels that any acknowledgement of Russia's election involvement would undermine the legitimacy of his election.

Standing alongside Putin in Helsinki, Trump told reporters he was not convinced it was Moscow.

He said he was willing to consider additional sanctions on Russian Federation and that Congress would make sure they were not able to "get away with (election meddling) again".

Mr Trump has come under fire in the days since the Helsinki summit, with even Republicans usually supportive of Mr Trump's policies piling on the pressure. He thanked Senator Rand Paul, one of the few prominent Republicans who have defended his performance at Monday's remarkable 46-minute joint news conference.

"Yes, I wanted him to win because he spoke of normalization of Russian-U.S. ties", Putin said.

"In one week, President Trump attacked our allies in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and cozied up to Putin who funds and provides military support for hostile regimes in Syria and Iran - and represents an imminent threat to the freedom and independence of the Baltic states".

RELATED NEWS

All-Star Game: The American League wins a home run extravaganza
A lot of fun", he was quoted as saying by ESPN. "(The Orioles) gave me every opportunity to come up and play in the big leagues. The American League had a chance to finish off the National League when leading by two runs in the bottom of the ninth. 7/19/2018

Inspect all Mother Teresa child homes: Maneka Gandhi
She died in 1997 at 87. "We are completely shocked by what has happened in our home in Ranchi ", a statement from the order said. INDIAN authorities are searching Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity facilities for evidence of baby trafficking. 7/19/2018

Judge denies Manafort's request to suppress evidence
The motions are sealed, and the government will not reveal the names of the witnesses unless they are actually called to testify. Mueller didn't identify the five witnesses in a court filing on Tuesday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. 7/19/2018

California wildfire closes key route into Yosemite
The Ferguson Fire began Friday night and has prompted mandatory evacuations and a closure of Highway 140 near El Portal. Officials say smoke from a forest fire near Yosemite National Park is affecting air quality in central California. 7/19/2018

Putin: US-Russia ties should not be held hostage to Mueller probe
But, he tweeted: 'I never would have thought that the US President would become one of the ones getting played by old KGB hands'. The Presidential Palace, where the negotiations Putin arrived first, he was welcomed by the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö. 7/19/2018

Tale of sex, deception emerges about suspected Russian agent
This person was "instrumental in aiding her covert influence operation, despite knowing its connections to the Russian Official". The government says Butina is a flight risk and the court had to consider whether she would flee if she was granted bail. 7/18/2018